Report: PSU AD Sandy Barbour confirms Pat Chambers will return as head coach next season

Penn State Athletic Director Sandy Barbour has confirmed that Penn State head basketball coach Pat Chambers will return for the 2019-20 season, according to a report.

Matt Fortuna of The Athletic reported on Thursday night, following Penn State’s 77-72 overtime loss to Minnesota in the B1G Tournament, that Barbour confirmed that Chambers will be in State College for his ninth season as the head coach of the Nittany Lions.

Penn State finished this season with a 14-18 record and ranked 10th in the B1G. It was a somewhat disappointing season in Happy Valley after winning the NIT a year ago.

Penn State coach Pat Chambers thanks AD Sandy Barbour for her support through an 0-10 start in B1G play.

The Nittany Lions got off to a sluggish start in B1G play, losing its first 10 games in conference. But down the stretch, Penn State became one of the hottest teams in the league, winning five of its final six games of the regular season and six of its last eight contests.

In that stretch, Penn State registered wins over ranked opponents Michigan and Maryland.

Despite the ugly record, Penn State was actually very competitive throughout the B1G season. The Lions finished with a 7-13 record in conference play, but nine of those losses came by seven points or less or in overtime. Thursday’s loss to Minnesota was the 10th conference game decided by that margin, as well.

Chambers completed his eighth season with the program this year. In that time, he’s compiled a 127-140 record and has taken the Lions to two postseason appearances — the CBI in 2014 and NIT in 2018.

With Josh Reaves being the only significant loss on Penn State’s roster for the 2019-20 season, the Nittany Lions could threaten for a spot in the NCAA Tournament next year.

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB